Characterization of Berry Skin Phenolic Profiles in Dalmatian Grapevine Varieties

Abstract

Dalmatian vineyards host many autochthonous varieties. The phenolic profile, defined by the relative proportions of different phenolic compounds, is specific for each grape variety. The aim of this study was to determine and analyze the flavonoid compounds of twenty rare red grape varieties. Nineteen phenolic compounds, represented by anthocyanins, flavanols, and flavonols, were detected and quantified using HPLC in three consecutive vintages. The content of grape skin anthocyanins (10414.06 (Plavac mali crni)-19.58 (Trišnjavac) mg kg−1 d.w. of grape skin), flavonols (1742.08 (Pošip crni)-215.56 (Crljenak viški) mg kg−1 d.w. of grape skin), and flavan-3-ols (448.04 (Pošip crni)-87.88 (Glavinuša) mg kg−1 d.w. of grape skin) showed significant differences in investigated varieties. According to the investigated phenolic compounds, Pošip crni, Ljutun, Zadarka, Dobričić, Plavac mali crni, and Trnjak differed from other investigated varieties. These local varieties can be perceived as an alternative to widespread varieties in Dalmatia. This was shown by one of the first studies on phenolic profiles of (mostly) rare autochthonous varieties.

Keywords

• red grapes
• phenolic compounds
• Croatian native varieties
• HPLC analysis
• Mediterranean climate